Hitler inaugurated an emergency program called the Luftschutz-Sofortprogramm to build protective shelters for the civilian population and essential personnel. Aiming to build 6,000 bunkers across 92 cities, it was the largest public works program in history. This program will be a massive undertaking, with deliveries of concrete for the bunkers and other supplies requiring alteration of railroad timetables across German. It is a major success of the current German regime, saving countless lives. It includes the construction of the massive flak towers in places like Berlin and Vienna that have such extraordinary structural integrity that they could not feasibly be destroyed after the war and remain in situ to this day (though some were buried). It also is an early acknowledgment that the war is going to last a lot longer, and involve a lot more effort and hardship, than originally thought. The results of this program are visible across Europe.
Expressing confidence that Germany will emerge victorious from the war, Marshal Henri Philippe Petain appealed to Adolf Hitler tonight In a radio speech for a “Just Peace” and promised that Nazi collaboration will dominate the new French authoritarian state. Announcing to the French people the principles of his new regime, the 84-year-old Petain scrapped everything that had been left of the third republic’s social, economic and legislative structure. Offering a hand of friendship to Hitler, Petain said that France’s entire policy will be based on “Franco-German collaboration” provided Germany is Just.
Somewhat hopefully, the German occupation government decides to conduct an honest plebiscite in Luxembourg (now incorporated into the Reich). The question is: are you happy with the occupation? As a result that surprises nobody except apparently the Germans, 97% of the responses are in the negative. It is the only such plebiscite held.
Half a dozen swastika-flying German troopships moved down the Danube, bringing additional Nazi forces to Rumania today, and the British legation began destroying secret documents preparatory to getting out before they arrive. Simultaneously, indications that a break in British-Rumanian relations is only a matter of hours were heightened by the announcement that the counsellors and press attaches of the Rumanian legation in London had resigned, leaving only a skeleton staff in the British capital. Rumania has been without a minister in London since July 25 when its envoy, Virgil Tilea, was recalled.
Pianist Myra Hess gives a dramatic concert at the National Gallery in London. It commemorates the anniversary of her first ceremony a year earlier. The windows are blacked out and the sound of bombing can be heard in the distance. This and similar contributions to morale eventually earn her the honor of being named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1941.
The Soviet Red Army, apparently in purely precautionary moves, was reported digging in along Russia’s new Bessarabian border with Rumania close to which the newly-arrived Nazi army units are setting up some of their bases.
A lone German Do 17 bomber on a reconnaissance mission was caught over RAF Tangmere in England, United Kingdom by British fighters. While attempting to shoot it down, two British fighters collided, killing both pilots. Then, another fighter, piloted by Sergeant Ellis, was damaged by the German bomber’s guns, and crash landed The Do 17 bomber sustained heavy damage, but was able to make it back to France, crash landed, and saved all of its photographs. During the day, four German raids of 20 to 100 aircraft were mounted, with bombs dropping on London and other towns. Through the day, the British lost 5 fighters with 3 pilots killed, while shooting down 3 German fighters and 1 Do 17 bomber. Between 1824 and 1844 hours, Dover was struck by 18 shells from German guns at Calais, France. Overnight, London, Manchester, and various airfields were bombed.
The weather on 10 October 1940 is mostly rainy with intermittent sunny periods. This does permit a couple of fairly large raids. While the Luftwaffe is said to change its tactics to targeting only cities today, it doesn’t appear that anything has changed from the day’s action.
The morning is occupied with minor fighter-bomber (Jabo) raids. At 10:00, about 30 from JG 26 cross into Kent and attack Hastings, Brighton, Eastbourne and Bexhill. The attack does what is really intended — drawing some RAF fighters into the air for battle — but the bombing itself is virtually inconsequential.
Another raid around noontime is more serious. Over 100 aircraft, including fighters from JG 53, head over the Dorset coast. Fighter Command is ready and gets eight squadrons in the air. The Germans shoot down several Spitfires, but again the bombing damage is slight.
After 15:00, another slightly smaller raid of over 65 planes crosses the Kent coast and heads for London, followed by a second wave of 80 planes over Dover. The RAF gets a dozen squadrons in the air. The Bf 109s fly high, even with their bombs, and interception is difficult. Some of the Spitfires do make contact. The bombers hit London, but again it is a raid with minimal effectiveness.
After dark, the Luftwaffe bombers hit the usual targets in London, South Wales, Gloucester, and RAF Debden and Duxford. There are some “lucky hits” which cause especially bad damage in London. Bombing accuracy is fairly poor, with bombs dropped in the river and other harmless areas. A Wembley war main is hit, some railway lines cut, and some smaller towns also bombed (apparently at random).
At dusk, the German coastal batteries at Cap Gris Nez open fire on Dover and surrounding areas. This leads to a brief artillery duel at a range of 20 miles.
Losses for the day are minimal. Losses are generally given as around 4 apiece. There is enough bomb damage to make this a “win” by the Luftwaffe, but nothing that is of any strategic significance.
British Losses:
Hurricane P3421, No. 56 Squadron
Sgt. J. Hlavac killed. Shot down in combat with Bf 109s over Wareham.
Spitfire X4038, No. 92 Squadron
P/O D.G. Williams killed. Mid-air collision during attack on a Do 17 over Tangmere.
Spitfire R6616, No. 92 Squadron
F/O J.F. Drummond killed. Mid-air collision during attack on a Do 17 over Tangmere. Pilot baled out, wounded in an arm and a leg, but was too low.
Hurricane V7537, No. 249 Squadron
Sgt. E.A. Bayley killed. Aircraft crashed at Shades House, Cooling Marsh during routine patrol. Believed due to oxygen failure.
Hurricane L1928, No. 253 Squadron
Sgt. H.H. Allgood killed. Aircraft crashed into houses at Albion Place, Maidstone. Cause unknown.
Hurricane L1547, No. 312 Squadron
Sgt. O. Hanzlicek killed. Aircraft caught fire during routine patrol, cause unknown. Pilot baled out into river at Oglett.
War in the air can lead to crazy results at times. Today, for instance, a Luftwaffe reconnaissance Dornier Do 17 is over RAF Tangmere when some RAF fighters intercept it. Two of the fighters collide, killing both pilots, while the bomber’s gunner shoots down a third, which crash-lands. The bomber? It limps back to France and crash-lands there, having destroyed three front-line RAF fighters and accomplished its mission.
Before daylight, RAF Bomber Command attacks Brest. The bombers damage destroyers Eckholdt, Loy, and Riedel. The RAF loses an Albacore bomber, the crew becoming POWs.
RAF Bomber Command dispatches 157 aircraft of all types overnight to 13 targets in Germany. to the Channel ports. to Eindhoven airfield and minelaying. No losses. RAF bombers hit ports up and down the coast, including Hamburg, Hannover, Wilhelmshaven, Kiel, Amsterdam, Calais, Den Helder, Boulogne, Le Havre, and Brest. The Fokker factory in Amsterdam and oil installations at Hamburg receive special attention. At Wilhelmshaven, the RAF has 14 bombers attack the Tirpitz (under construction), without success.
The RAF attacks Benghazi and Assab, Eritrea.
In Malta, it is a quiet day. There is a lot of aerial reconnaissance due to a convoy coming from Alexandria, but there is little activity by the Italian fleet at Taranto. The Air Chief of Staff at Whitehall believes that, with winter fast approaching, fighters can be transferred from England to Malta in order to do more good there. Another dozen Hurricanes will soon be on their way.
A straggler from Convoy SC.6, the abandoned British steam merchant Graigwen was torpedoed and sunk by the U-123, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Karl-Heinz Moehle, north-northwest of Rockall in the northern Atlantic Ocean. The Graigwen had been damaged the previous day by the U-103. Of the ship’s complement, 7 died and 27 survivors were picked up by the sloop HMS Enchantress. The 3,697-ton Graigwen was carrying maize and was bound for Barry Roads, England.
In Operation MEDIUM, battleship HMS Revenge with destroyers HMS Javelin, HMS Jaguar, HMS Jupiter, HMS Kashmir, HMS Kelvin, and HMS Kipling, and Motor Anti-Submarine Boats 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 51 departed Plymouth on the 10th. The battleship group was covered to the west by light cruisers HMS Newcastle and HMS Emerald with destroyers HMS Wanderer, HMS Broke, ORP Burza, and ORP Garland which departed Devonport on the 10th and to the east by light cruiser HMS Cardiff and destroyers HMS Vanoc and HMS Volunteer which departed Portsmouth on the 9th. From 0333 to 0351 on the 11th, the Revenge group bombarded Cherbourg. German torpedo boats put to sea from Cherbourg and briefly attacked the minesweeping force before retiring. The battleship force returned to Portsmouth and the cruiser force to Plymouth on the 11th. The Cardiff group returned to Portsmouth.
Destroyer HMS Jersey departed the Humber after repairs, but on the 11th she was damaged off East Knob Buoy by the explosion of a mine close aboard. She went to London for repairs arriving on the 13th, was repaired in fifteen days, and arrived at Plymouth on the 29th for duty with the 5th Destroyer Flotilla.
Destroyer HMS Douglas departed Greenock at 0630 to join the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow, where she arrived at 1000/11th.
Submarine HMS H-28 on patrol in the Bay of Biscay fired torpedoes at a 1000 ton merchant ship, but no damage was done.
In British air attacks on Brest during the night of 9/10 October, German destroyer Eckholdt was damaged by near misses and destroyers Lody and Riedel were splinter damaged. Pilot Lt Cdr O. S. Stevinson, Squadron Commander, Observer Lt Cdr N. R. Quill, and Petty Officer A. Brimms in an Albacore of 829 Squadron were shot down and made prisoners of war in this raid.
Auxiliary patrol vessel HMS Girl Mary (25grt, Acting Skipper F. B. Plaskitt RNR) was lost on lost on a mine four cables 255° from Inchcolm Monastery. Two ratings were lost; Plaskitt and Temporary Lt E. C. A. Warren RNVR, were wounded.
MTB.22, MTB.31, MTB.32 attacked a German convoy off Calais in 51-02N, 01-48E, sank German trawler Nordenham (234grt) and captured thirty four prisoners.
Steamer Till (367grt) was damaged on a mine in 51-36N, 01-12E.
Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Australia arrived at Gibraltar from Freetown and was temporarily assigned to Force H
A report was received that French light cruiser Primauguet had departed Casablanca to escort a merchant ship carrying torpedoes and shells for battleship Richelieu and other warships at Dakar. Late on the 11th, heavy cruiser HMAS Australia departed Gibraltar and proceeded towards Las Palmas. Early on the 12th, battlecruiser HMS Renown and destroyers HMS Wishart, HMS Gallant, HMS Griffin, and HMS Vidette departed Gibraltar.
Convoy OA.227 departed Methil escorted by sloop HMS Rochester and corvette HMS Camellia from 10 to 14 October.
Convoy FN.305 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer HMS Winchester, sloop HMS Egret, patrol sloop HMS Guillemot. The patrol sloop was detached on the 11th. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 12th.
Convoy FS.305 departed Methil, escorted by destroyers HMS Vanity and HMS Wolfhound. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 12th.
In Washington, President Roosevelt discussed the international situation with Secretary of State Hull and Under-Secretary Welles, conferred with Secretary Ickes, John Cudahy, former Ambassador to Belgium, and C. V. Whitney, chairman of the board of Pan American Airways; and sent a message to the Chinese Government felicitating it on the twenty-ninth anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Republic. Through the Treasury, he issued an order “freezing” all Rumanian funds in this country. He left on a tour of industrial areas in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The Senate was in recess. Its Campaign Expenditures Committee announced that it would investigate charges that WPA rolls were padded in advance of the November elections.
The House considered minor bills and adjourned at 2:35 PM until noon on Monday.
The lack of a quorum forced the House of Representatives to end today’s session, and congress headed into what most leaders foresaw as a period of inactivity that will continue until mid-November, unless some new foreign crisis develops. Many members of both houses have left town, now that most major items on the legislative program have been completed. Most of them have been anxious to get back to their districts and do some campaigning before Election Day. The Senate was in recess today until tomorrow.
The rapidly developing Balkan crisis was met tonight by an order of President Roosevelt through the Treasury Department freezing Rumanian funds in the United States.
President Rooseelt left tonight for Pennsylvania and Ohio to inspect defense preparations. This trip, like its predecessors of the last two months, is officially labeled by the White House as “nonpolitical,” and some reason other than politics has been ascribed for each of six stops scheduled for tomorrow and Saturday. Four stops will be marked by automobile tours. As the culmination of the trip Mr. Roosevelt will speak from his train in Dayton on Saturday night, on the topic of hemispherical defense, delivering a speech expected to constitute a direct reply to some of the criticisms leveled against his administration. Automobile tours will be made tomorrow at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Youngstown, Ohio. In Pittsburgh the President also will view new housing projects. On Saturday, before arriving at Dayton, he will drive through Columbus, where he will inspect another housing project. Two other stops also will be made tomorrow, the first at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Roosevelt will remain on his train while a delegation of political leaders greet him, and another at Newton Falls, Ohio, where, from the window of his private car, he will look on the site for the proposed Ravenna ammunition loading plant.
Disputing a recent statement by the Democratic National Committee that “no man living” could fulfill his promise to provide a job in private industry for every American worker, Wendell L. Willkie reiterated tonight that if he were elected President he would provide every worker with a job, and received the traditional Republican theory of protection for American workers against enslaved labor” of the totalitarian countries. Speaking at the Narragansett race track, in Pawtucket the Republican candidate asserted that he would safeguard every right that labor had gained, and added:
“Protection of labor’s rights and continuation of relief are fundamental to our Republican program. In addition, there are other protections to which the American worker is entitled. Specifically, he is entitled to full protection against the unfair competition of the enslaved labor of the totalitarian countries. I want to be frank with you. I look forward constantly to the day when international tariff barriers will be reduced. I hope that in the years to come we can see the flow of international trade increased. But it is absurd and contradictory that we in America, who believe in decent standards of living and who support proper wage and hour standards, should permit the entry into this country of goods manufactured by the oppressed workers of the dictatorships.”
Calling upon the American people “to recover control of their own government while there is still time,” District Attorney Dewey, in an address in the municipal auditorium tonight, attacked the New Deal for alleged economic failure.
Wilhelm Kunze, national leader of the German-American bund, and nine others were indicted today on charges of “promoting hatred against people of the Jewish religion.” The Sussex county grand jury, in session about eight miles from the bund’s Camp Nordland, at Andover, returned to Judge John Losey true bills which attributed to the defendants speeches including the following passage, “The real fifth column in this country is Roosevelt and his Jewish bosses.”
Earl Browder, American Communist Party Candidate for President (and head of the party), is indicted by a federal grand jury for passport fraud. He ultimately is sentenced to 4 years in prison. Browder advocates closer ties between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
United States defenses in Hawaii will be materially strengthened in the near future, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson announced today. He was commenting on the projected dispatch to Honolulu as soon as transportation can be provided of a California National Guard anti-aircraft regiment. There will be no reinforcement of the garrison in the Philippines, however, according to the Secretary. He said that the Philippine Army now being trained by Field Marshal Douglas MacArthur regards itself as sufficiently strong to care for the defense of the islands within the near future. Asked whether these developments had any connection with the political crisis in the Far East, Mr. Stimson declined to comment, suggesting that newspaper men draw their own conclusions. The anti-aircraft regiment to be sent to reinforce the Hawaiian garrison is the 251st Coast Artillery Regiment, now in training in Ventura, California, the Secretary said. It is made up of men irom San Diego, San Pedro and Long Beach.
The War Department revealed today that every airplane factory in the country had been asked to work a twenty-four-hour day where feasible as the nation swings into a drive for the maximum output of defense weapons.
The U.S. Navy miscellaneous auxiliary Bear (AG-29) sails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the Antarctic.
The War Plans Division recommends the withdrawal of all U.S. military forces west of the 180º meridian. This recommendation may have been made to force a reassessment of U.S. policy to the Far East.
Admiral Richardson is directed by Knox (Secretary of the Navy) to aggressively patrol between Hawaii and the Philippines, but he protests that this is beyond the capacity of his Fleet.
Fulgencio Batista became the 9th President of Cuba. In practice, he rules like an autocrat.
Communist Chinese New 4th Army linked up with Communist Chinese 8th Route Army at Baiju Village, Dongtai County, Jiangsu Province, China.
The Japanese launch an air attack against Kunming.
President Roosevelt sent a message to President Lin Sen of China on the twenty-ninth anniversary of Chinese independence “reaffirming the traditional friendship” of the two countries.
Withdrawal of British and American residents from Japan already is having a sobering effect on the Japanese, an informed source declared today. Foreign Minister Matsuoka’s pointed repetition that the Japanese pact with Italy and Germany was not directed against the United States was cited as an indication that a new tack in public utterances may be taken. Another development mentioned was the foreign office invitation to U. S. Ambassador Joseph C. Grew to the first conversations in several weeks. The Japanese were portrayed as surprised at American determination as evidenced by withdrawal of citizens from Japan. At the foreign office today, Spokesman Yakichiro Suma told a press conference that “responsible people on both sides of the Pacific should be very calm.” The foreign office reported, however, that it had repeated its suggestion to Japanese in Britain to leave if not there on urgent business. It was emphasized that this was not connected with American withdrawals from Japan but merely due to hazardous conditions and the absence of business in Britain. The withdrawal of Americans proceeded amid nervous tension.
Italy and Germany are ready to stand by their obligations to Japan under the recently signed tri-power pact should reopening of the Burma supply route to China lead to a crisis in United States-Japanese relations, well-informed quarters said tonight. Although the Burma road issue is, technically speaking, a matter between Japan and Great Britain, all the Italian commentators, including Mario Appelius of Premier Benito Mussolini’s Milan newspaper, accused Washington of forcing Prime Minister Winston Churchill into reopening the route. Political quarters here assert that Britain would rather keep the Burma Road closed and avoid risk of perhaps acquiring another enemy Japan. These quarters charged that Britain acted under U. S. pressure.
German raider Orion meets up with supply ship Regensburg in the Marshall Islands.
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 130.39 (-0.15)
Born:
Stanley Mouse, artist, notable for psychedelic rock concert poster designs and album art (Grateful Dead; Journey), in Fresno, California.
Takuji Hayata, Japanese Gymnast (Olympics, Gold medals, Rings and Team all-Around, 1964), in Tanabe, Wakayama, Japan.
Grover Powell, MLB pitcher (New York Mets), in Sayre, Pennsylvania (d. 1985, of leukemia).
Larry Maxie, MLB pitcher (Atlanta Braves), in Upland, California.
Died:
Berton Churchill, 63, Canadian actor (“I’m Nobody’s Sweetheart Now”).
Naval Construction:
The Royal Canadian Navy Bangor-class (VTE Reciprocating-engined) minesweeper HMCS Georgian (J 144) is laid down by the Dufferin Shipbuilding Co. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada).
The Royal Canadian Navy Flower-class corvette HMCS Brandon (K 149) is laid down by the Davie Shipbuilding and Repairing Co. Ltd. (Lauzon, Quebec, Canada).
The Royal Navy “Q”-class destroyer HMS Quality (G 62) is laid down by Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd. (Wallsend-on-Tyne, U.K.); completed by Wallsend.
The Kriegsmarine (German Navy) Type IXC U-boat U-66 is launched by AG Weser, Bremen (werk 985).
The Royal Navy Fairmile B-class motor launch HMS ML 135 is commissioned.
History Diaries 